Great Muses of Japanese Cinema

Sternberg and Dietrich, Fellini and Masina, Antonioni and Vitti, Godard and Karina. The filmmaker’s muse has inspired some of the most memorable and breathtaking moments in the history of cinema. Japanese films are no exception and I’ve listed what I consider to be some of the key collaborations.
Of course, none of these incredible actresses worked exclusively with any one director, so the choices are open to debate. Maybe you prefer Takamine’s work with Kinoshita Keisuke or feel that Itami Juzo and Miyamoto Nobuko are worth inclusion. I’d be interested in hearing your opinions.
Mizoguchi Kenji (溝口健二) & Tanaka Kinuyo (田中絹代)
Ozu Yasujiro…
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Sternberg and Dietrich, Fellini and Masina, Antonioni and Vitti, Godard and Karina. The filmmaker’s muse has inspired some of the most memorable and breathtaking moments in the history of cinema. Japanese films are no exception and I’ve listed what I consider to be some of the key collaborations.

Of course, none of these incredible actresses worked exclusively with any one director, so the choices are open to debate. Maybe you prefer Takamine’s work with Kinoshita Keisuke or feel that Itami Juzo and Miyamoto Nobuko are worth inclusion. I’d be interested in hearing your opinions.

Mizoguchi Kenji (溝口健二) & Tanaka Kinuyo (田中絹代)

Ozu Yasujiro (小津安二郎) & Hara Setsuko (原節子)

Naruse Mikio (成瀬巳喜男) & Takamine Hideko (高峰秀子)

Shindo Kaneto (新藤兼人) & Otowa Nobuko (乙羽信子)

Masumura Yasuzo (増村保造) & Wakao Ayako (若尾文子)

Yoshida Kiju (吉田喜重) & Okada Mariko (岡田茉莉子)

Shinoda Masahiro (篠田正浩) & Iwashita Shima (岩下志麻)

If you liked this list please check out Kenji’s ‘5 HEROINES OF JAPAN’S GOLDEN AGE’ which I’ve shamelessly ripped off.